FI112400B - Method for indicating information and pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pointing device that comprises a movable pointing element and a detector. The pointing element affects a magnetic field the changes of which are detected by the detector and adapted so as to point out information. The detector that produces a detection signal on the basis of which the movement of the pointing element is sensed and utilized to point out information on a display. The movable pointing element and the detector comprises means for generating a magnetic field and for detecting a magnetic field. The pointing element includes a plurality of magnetic elements placed on a perimeter of the pointing element.

Description

112400

Method for indicating information and pointing device

The invention relates to a pointing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The pointing device controls an electronic device, preferably an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a media terminal, a recorder, a radio receiver, a television, a CD player and a DVD player.

The pointing means comprises a pointing element and a detector. The pointing member is moved directly by a finger or indirectly by an aid. The position and / or movement of the pointing element 10 is detected by the detector and, in accordance with this movement, the pointer (cursor) is moved on the screen and / or a dialog box is moved within a set of menus to select a particular action menu.

Electromechanical pointing devices are known in the art, including, for example, a circumferentially perforated or radially grooved plate as a movable pointing member and an electrically conductive brush mounted on the circumference.

The problem with the electromechanical pointing means is that the pointing element and the detector are in contact. The brush or similar detector and pointing element are exposed to the me-; ·· for stubble wear and fouling, relatively limited. *, the service life of the pointing device.

'* 20 Electro-optical pointing devices are also known, which also include: a perforated or radially grooved disc as a movable pointing element and an optical detector, such as a photocell, arranged in the peripheral area of the disc.

The problem with electro-optical pointing devices is contamination. Depending on the operating conditions .., the light signal produced by the light source included in the detector will no longer be somewhere * ,,; In 25 steps, reach for the detector receiver due to dirty window surfaces; · The pointing device I created was malfunctioning.

A pointing device is known from US 5,714,980, which includes a:: actuator disposed horizontally in a housing and tilted relative to the center when the pointing device is used. On the underside of the wafer, close to the periphery, there are four magnets arranged at 90 ° and four magnets opposite the magnets at the bottom of the housing, respectively, connected to the processing unit for reading and processing the output voltages of the Hall elements. The pointer 2 112400 on the screen is controlled by tilting the dial in the xy coordinate system, which affects the distance between the magnets and the Hall elements and thus the output voltage from the Hall elements. In addition, there is a resilient member between the lower surface of the disc and the bottom for returning the inclined disc to a horizontal position. A similar joystick with magnets and Hall elements is disclosed in EP-A-0810544.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks associated with the above-described pointing means. It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel pointing device which is simple, reliable and long-lasting.

The pointing device according to the invention is characterized by what is set forth in claim 1. The dependent claims disclose preferred embodiments of the invention.

The pointing device according to the invention includes a movable pointing element and a detector, which pointing element is a rotatable pointing element, which means are provided with means for producing a magnetic field, and which pointing means is arranged in the mounting recess of the device. According to the invention, the means for producing the magnetic field are arranged on the circumference of the rotatable pointing element and the means for detecting the magnetic field are arranged at a small air gap in the mounting recess; · · 20 in the immediate vicinity of the circumference of the pointing element.

The advantage of the invention is that the pointing element and the detector are physically completely separated from one another; they are not in contact with each other. There is no direct electrical connection or optical contact between them. This allows the detector to be protected against water, moisture, dust and, in general, from external harmful solids, '' liquids and gases.

Γ An advantage of the invention is that it is reliable in operation and long-lasting. This results, above all, from the effective separation and isolation of the pointing element and the detector.

; '' '; An advantage of the invention is that it is simple in construction and that in the pointing device. the amount of components required is small.

3, 112400

An advantage of the invention is that the components of the pointing device are most preferably conventional, generally available. In this case e.g. it is advantageous to implement the detector as a coil. As a result, mass production costs are also low.

A further advantage of the invention is that the directional movement information of the pointing member is preferably obtained from the pointing means by a single conductor.

It is also an advantage of the invention that the stride sensation of the motion of the pointing member is clear.

Another advantage of the invention is, inter alia, that the position of the pointing member can be magnetically controlled, the pointing members can be arranged in parallel, the pointing member can be shaped relatively freely, and it can also be made axially movable, e.g. according to intended use.

In the following, the invention and other advantages thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1A shows a principle view of a method and pointing device according to the invention; Fig. IB illustrates voltage pulses from a magnetic field detector in a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figures 1C and ID illustrate detection pulses obtained from a pretreatment unit; Figure IE illustrates voltage pulses obtained from a magnetic field detector in another preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figures 1F and 1G illustrate the observations obtained from the pretreatment unit. : ·. pulses in the embodiment of Figure IE; Figure 2A shows a magnetic field detector and a second pretreatment unit; ... Fig. 2B illustrates the voltage pulses from the magnetic field detector when the pointing element is moved in one direction and the direction of movement ·. 'Is reversed; and: FIG. 2C illustrates ha-"": key pulses of a pre-processing unit comparator when changing the direction of motion of the pointing member; Fig. 2D shows some output signals of the second pretreatment unit; Fig. 3A shows a third pretreatment unit suitable for two detectors; and Fig. 3B illustrates voltage pulses from magnetic field detectors; 4112400 Fig. 4 illustrates displaying information on a display; Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of one pointing device according to the invention and Fig. 5B is a front sectional view; Fig. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of another pointing device according to the invention and Fig. 6B is a frontal partial cross-sectional view; Fig. 7A shows a third pointing device according to the invention in a partial cross-sectional view, and Fig. 7B a first modification of this embodiment and Fig. 7C a second modification of this embodiment; Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fourth pointing device according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows a fifth pointing device according to the invention in a partial cross-sectional view, and in particular an arrangement of a magnetic member and a detector; Fig. 10A shows a sixth pointing device according to the invention in a side sectional view and Fig. 10B is a front view in partial cross-sectional view; Fig. 11A shows a seventh pointing device according to the invention in a partial front sectional view and ':': Fig. 11B is a modification of this embodiment; · * .. *. * Fig. 12A shows a side view of the eighth pointing device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 12B is a side sectional view of the ninth pointing device according to the invention, and Fig. 13B is a partial cross-sectional view of the tensile pointing device 10 of the present invention; Fig. 15A is a front elevational partial sectional view of the pointing device of the invention and: '' ': Figures 15B, 15C and 15D are modifications of this embodiment; and Fig. 16 is a front view of the twelve pointing device of the invention. as a single sectional pattern.

»I

The method according to the invention and the pointing device applying it are illustrated in Figure 1A. The pointing means comprises a pointing element 1 and a detector 2. These 5 112400 are mounted on the housing 3 or the body of the device or the housing or body of the remote control of the actual device or the like. There is an air gap 4 between the pointing element 1 and the detector 2. The magnetic field m is produced in conjunction with the pointing device by a magnet 6. The detector 2 comprises at least one magnetic field detector. The intensity 5 of the magnetic field m in the detector 2 varies depending on the movement and / or position of the indicating element 1 and the size of the air gap 4. The magnetic field detector 2 is connected to the pretreatment unit 5. The measurement signal representing the intensity and / or change in the magnetic field m obtained from the detector 2 is amplified and modified by the pretreatment unit 5.

10

The detector 2 is most preferably a coil, such as a coil or a choke. It is known that an electric motor force is induced in a coil when the magnetic flux passing through it and thus the intensity of the magnetic field varies. When the coil is closed to a conductive circuit, the electric motor force produces an instantaneous electrical current which in turn is converted into a voltage pulse at a suitable load. The relative movement A, B of the pointing element 1 and the detector 2, Fig. 1A, affects the intensity of the magnetic field detected by the detector. The electromotive force induced by the detector 2 and further the voltage pulse is processed in the pretreatment unit 5. Figure IA shows in dashed lines one possible position of the detector coil 2 relative to the pointing means.

20

Moving the magnetic field m with respect to detector 2 according to Fig. 1A in direction A (or detector 2 moving with respect to magnetic field m in direction B) results in the signal C shown in Fig. 1B at output of amplifier 5a, first having a positive voltage pulse Cl, followed by a negative voltage pulse C2.

Similarly, when the magnetic field m is moved relative to the detector 2 in Fig. 1A, *; ·. according to the direction B (or the detector 2 is moved relative to the magnetic field m in the direction.. A), the signal D of Fig. IB is obtained, in which first there is a negative voltage pulse D1 followed by a positive voltage pulse D2. Thus, the motion directions A, B can be distinguished from the direction in which the detected voltage pulse starts to change 30 C 1, D 1 as the magnetic field m passes the detector (or the movement occurs in the opposite direction).

. · * ·. In the embodiment of Figure 1A, the pretreatment unit 5 includes an amplifier 5a and a comparator 5b. The level of the measurement signal amplified by the amplifier 5a, such as the voltage level U (or -U) of the voltage pulse · '' * 35, is examined in comparator 5b with respect to a reference level such as a reference voltage Uref (or -Uref). If the level of the measurement signal exceeds the positive reference level, the observer pulse ps is output from comparator 5b, Fig. 1C. If the level of the measurement signal is below the negative reference level, a reference pulse, so-called, ID is provided from comparator 6112400 to section 5b. Otherwise, a perceptual pulse is not given. Fig. 1B shows the pulse shapes in succession as the pointer element moves in opposite directions. In Figures IB, 1C and ID, it is seen that the direction of motion of the pointer can be detected by the order in which the positive and negative voltage pulses are detected.

Figure IE shows the voltage level of the amplified measurement signal in an embodiment in which the position of the detector coil 2 is rotated 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure IA in the plane shown in the figure. Hereby, the motion of the magnetic field 10 formed by the pointing element forms either a positive pulse c or a negative pulse d, depending on the direction of motion of the pointing element. The pulse ps corresponding to the positive signal and the pulse ns corresponding to the negative signal obtained after the voltage comparator are shown in Figures 1F and 1G. This position of the detector coil is advantageous because the direction of motion of the indicator element can be directly detected by means of two voltage comparators. Thus, it is not necessary to follow the order of the successive positive and negative pulses ps, ns, obtained from the voltage comparator, as in the embodiment shown in Figs. IB, 1C and ID.

The detection pulses ps, so-called, are processed by a suitable processing unit following the preprocessing unit 5, most preferably a microcontroller or a similar data processing unit, and the resulting perceptual data is used to indicate information on a display or equivalent display device.

. ,,.: The magnetic field detector 2 and another embodiment of the pretreatment unit are illustrated in Figure 2A. The pretreatment unit 52 comprises an amplifier 52a, ... a comparator 52b and a logic unit 52c. The comparator 52b comprises two reference units VE1 and VE2. When understanding the signals of Figures IB-ID, logic unit 52c preferably includes a monostable flip-flop K1, a D-flip flop K2, and two JA gates PI, P2. The detector 2 is connected via amplifier 52a to the first input of comparator 52b:: 30 of each comparator unit VE1 and VE2. The reference voltage Uref:. ·: And, respectively, -Uref is connected to the second input of the reference units VE1, VE2. Hmai- :. ·. the level of the measurement signal amplified by the amplifier 52a from sim 2, i.e.. voltage-

pulse voltage level U1 or -U2, Fig. 2B, is considered in comparator 52b, the reference level, i. with reference voltage Uref and -Uref. When the measurement signal level UI: '·· 35 exceeds the positive reference voltage Uref, the first comparator unit VEI

From the output of '' '' 1, the first detection pulse ps is output and, respectively, when the measurement signal level -U2 exceeds the negative reference voltage -Uref, from the output of the second comparator unit VE2, a second detection pulse is output.

7, 112400

The preprocessing unit 52 also functions as an indicator of the movement direction A, B of the indicating element 1, if necessary. The mutual chronology of the occurrence of the voltage pulses from the detector 2 is then utilized to determine the direction of motion.

Fig. 2B illustrates the voltage pulses E1, F1 of the detector 2 when the direction of motion of the pointing means is changed after a few pulses from one direction to the other. From these pulses, the detection pulses ps and pn of FIG. 2C are formed in the pretreatment unit 52, FIG. 2A. In this pretreatment unit, the observation pulse 10 ns depicting the decrease in the negative reference voltage -Uref is suitably extended by the monostable flip-flop K1, so that the D-flip-flop K2 indicates at its output whether the observation pulse is called before or after

2A, the output pulse p of FIG. 2D is generated when the magnetic field m passes the detector 2 in one direction and the output pulse n of FIG. 2D when the magnetic field m passes the detector 2 in the other direction. Alternatively, the output Q of the D flip-flop K2 can be generated separately from the direction information p / n which is used in combination with the clock pulse, in this case the observation pulse ps.

Alternatively, the detector 2 is a Hall sensor or detector which can also detect a magnetic field stationary with respect to the detector. A problem with such a detector is e.g. the cost of using the detector as low as possible; consumer product or the like. There is also the problem of indicating the direction of movement · * ·; ··: conventional Hall elements merely indicate. ..: 25 magnitude of magnetic flux without polarity indication.

Most preferably, motion detection is accomplished using two Hall 'sensors or the like spaced at a suitable distance from each other (cf. Fig. 9). Alternatively, the direction of motion can be detected using a single Hall sensor or - '· *' 30 detectors and two separate repetitive magnetic fluxes (and magnetic elements v) (see Figures 10A and 10B).

. ···. A preferred pretreatment unit 53 having an input fitted with a detector 54, wherein ':' has two detector units, in particular a Hall sensor 54a, 54b, is shown in Fig. 3A.

: "35 The pretreatment unit 53 comprises an amplifier 55; 55a, 55b and a subsequent comparator 56; 56a, 56b for each Hall sensor 54a, 54b. The logic unit 57 follows the comparator 56. The logic unit 57 in this embodiment is similar to the pretreatment of FIG. 2A above. unit and the same parts have been referenced accordingly.

8112400

Hall sensors 54a, 54b detect the magnitude of the magnetic field and its variations. The detection signals obtained from the sensors 54a, 54b are amplified in amplifiers 55a, 55b, respectively, and the amplified detection signals are supplied to the first inputs of the respective comparator units 56a, 56b of the comparator 56. The reference voltage Uref is connected to the other inputs of the comparators 5a 56a, 56b. Comparator 54; Outputs 54a, 54b provide signals ps1, ps2 which are supplied to logic unit 57.

Comparator 54; The signals ps1, ps2 from the outputs 54a, 54b are illustrated in FIG. 3B when the direction of motion of the pointing member is changed in a manner similar to the example of FIG. 2B from the first direction E2 to the second direction F2. It is noted that the relative motion of the pointing element (i.e., E2 corresponds to direction E1 and F2 to direction F1 when compared to the example of Figure 2B) can be deduced from the time lag of the signals ps1, ps2 in exactly the same way as Thus, the logic unit 57 or the corresponding unit 15 generates exactly the same signals p, n and p / n as implemented above with the pretreatment unit of Figure 2A.

Hall detectors are available which include a Hall sensor 54a, 54b and a built-in amplifier 55a, 55b. When such Hall detectors are used, the amplifiers 55a, 55b of the pre-treatment unit 20 of FIG. 3A are not required. The problem may be that such detectors are expensive.

: '' ': The detector 2, 54 is alternatively a magnetoresistive sensor. The pretreatment unit 53 of Fig. 3A is also suitable for use with this sensor. For such an il. ..: 25, however, the operating voltage Vcc and the amplifier 55 must be followed; 55a, 55b; · # Must be balanced for a good result.

The display of information on the display is illustrated in Figure 4. Preferably, each positive pulse ps causes, e.g., the pointer bar o (dashed • · ': 30 area) to move from menu v3 to next menu v4 upwards from overlapping choices: v3, v4 in the resulting menu field v and negative, respectively: the pulse ns causes the address bar o to move in the opposite direction, e.g., menu, ··, size v2. Thus, by moving the control element 1 by a suitable distance relative to the detector 2 and changing the direction A, B, the display of information is changed, i * ·· 35

The pointing device according to the invention in Fig. 1A includes a movable pointing element 1 and a detector 2. In this schematic embodiment, the movable pointing element 1 is fitted with a magnet 6. The magnetic field detector 2 is alternately implemented by a coil, coil or the like. When the pointer member 1, in particular the magnet 6, is moved past the detector 2, the magnetic field m changes on the other side of the small air gap 4 in the coil first gaining strength and then weakening, and this change is detected in the pre-treatment 5 unit 5 connected to the detector 2. The following embodiments of the invention are generally based on this same basic arrangement.

5A and 5B show one pointing device according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the pointing member 7 is a rotatable member symmetrical about the axis E-E. The indicating element 7 may be a sleeve, ring, disc, cylinder or the like. The indicator element 7 is disposed in the body 9 of the device or in a corresponding mounting recess 9a. The pointing member 7 is arranged so that part of its circumference 7a is visible outside the body 9 and is accessible by a finger or the like. The pointing member 7 comprises an ac-pin 7b or the like bearing member adapted to the rotation axis E-E, from which it is suitably secured to the frame 9.

In this case, the indicating element 7 is provided with a plurality of magnetic elements 8, in particular separate magnets arranged at a distance, preferably at regular angular distances, from one another on the circumference 7a of the indicating element 7. A coil 10 or a corresponding magnetic field detector is disposed below the pointing member 7 20 in the mounting recess 9a in the immediate vicinity of its periphery 7a at the end of the small air gap 4. The coil 10, in turn, is mounted on a circuit board 11 having a pretreatment unit (cf.

; ; e.g. FIG. 1A or FIG. 2A) for processing the measurement signal from the winding 10.

. ..: Usually, the circuit board 11 also has other electronic commands that control other device functions. ,,: 25 components.

»» *

The rotatable disk or cylindrical member serving as the indicating element 7 is most preferably of a diameter h of e.g. 10-30 mm and preferably has a width k of between 2 and 40 mm. The width i of the air gap 4 is of the order of 2 mm, preferably about 1 mm.

0 ": 30 * I»

Another pointing device according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 6A: '·. and 6B. The pointing member 12 is a rotatable member relative to its rotation axis F-F, as in the first embodiment. The pointing element 12 is a pinion wheel to which '! * includes a body or hub 12a and a plurality of radial projections 13. The hub 12a includes a · · 35 magnetic member 12c, preferably a permanent magnet, and is otherwise ferromagnetic: *: a material such as steel. The projections 13 are also of ferromagnetic material, such as steel. The projections 13 extend into the peripheral region 12b of the indicating member 12. The hub 12a has a shaft pin 14 or a similar bearing member on either side of the pointing member 12.

11240Q

10

The shaft pin 14 is disposed on the pivot axis F-F and the pointing member 12 is rotatably supported therein in a mounting recess 15a on the device body 15 or a similar device part as in the previous example. Also in this embodiment, as in the first, the coil 10, coil or similar magnetic field detector is mounted on the circuit board 11. The coil 10 is disposed below the pointing member 12 in the mounting recess 15a in the same manner as in the embodiment of Figure 5A and 5B.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the rotatable pivot wheel 12, which acts as a pointing member 12, corresponds to the pointing member 7 shown in Figures 5A and 5B in diameter h and width k. In this embodiment, the width i of the air gap 4 is of the order 2mm, preferably about 1mm.

A third pointing device according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 7A and modifications thereof in Figs. 7B and 7C. This corresponds to a large extent to the pointing device shown in Figs. 6A and 6B above and the same parts have been used with reference numerals. At least one of the projections 13, in particular 13a, of the indicating member 16 is provided with a free end with a roughening 13b, a rounding or similar shape or an insert, Fig. 7A. At least one of the projections 13, in particular 13c, of the pointing member 16 is provided with an extension at its free end, Fig. 7B. Instead of widening, the free end of the projection may alternatively be provided with a narrowing. The purpose of the roughened 13c and the widened 13c or the like projection is to make the projection stand apart on the finger: · *: when touched sensitively by the other projections 13 of the pointing member 16. ''; Due to this, a good sense of contact with the pointing member 16 is maintained while rotating it, and its position is easily recognized.

In the modification of Fig. 7C, one projection 13d is separated from the other projections 13 by widening * t tulle with projections 13e, 13f. In this case the parallel projections of the projection 13d have been removed from the projections 13e, 13f. The projection 13d, when touched with the fingertip, is distinguished from the other projections 13 of the pointing member 16 by the width of the projections 13e, 30.

The fourth pointing device according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 8.

This pointing device also largely corresponds to the pointing device shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, for example, so that the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. Addresses: * ·· 35 The mandrel member 50 is preferably similar to Figs. 6A and 6B (or Figs. 5A and '·' ': 5B), but its mounting in the mounting recess 15a on the body 15 of the device or the like is implemented differently. Short pins 51 and 11 to 112400 mounting recess 15a, respectively, are provided with recesses 52 or even apertures on the opposite sides of the rotation axis X-X of the indicator element 50. The short pins 51 are of conical or generally rounded or bevelled projections. The recesses 52, which are imitated at the edges of the mounting recess 15a, are also preferably conical or rounded relatively small recesses. This rat-5 has the advantage that the pointing member 50 is easily clickable out of the mounting recess 15a and can be replaced by a new pointing member, e.g. of a different shape or design, by pressing it into the mounting recess 15a (cf. arrow in Fig. 8). Similarly, a dirty or damaged indicating element 50 is easily replaceable.

10

A fifth pointing device according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the pointing member corresponds to the pointing member 12 of Figs. 6A and 6B and the same reference numerals. The magnetic field detector 181 differs from the above. In previous embodiments, the magnetic 15 field detector, such as coil 10, is imaged in the immediate vicinity of the pointing member 12. In this embodiment, an actual magnetic field detector, such as a Hall sensor 18al, is disposed at a distance from the pointing member 12. A ferromagnetic transmission line 171 is disposed, the first end 17al of which is in close proximity to the pointing member 12, With this rigidity, the actual detector 18a is located at a distance from the pointing member 12.

I I M | , ·· *. A disadvantage of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that a single detector: 181 does not detect the direction of motion of the pointing member 12. For this, ____. The means 25 must be followed by a separate motion direction indicator of the pointing member 12. When the second magnetic field detector 18, shown in dashed lines in Fig. 9, is arranged at a suitable distance from the first detector 181, the direction of movement of the pointing member 12 can be indicated. Hereby, for example, a pretreatment unit according to Fig. 3A is applied to the pretreatment of signals received from two detectors 18, 18.

O'1 30 :; : The second detector 18 has the same structure as the first detector 18.

; A hall sensor 18a2 is disposed at a distance from the pointing member 12. A ferromagnetic transmission line 172 is provided between which the first end 17a2 is in the immediate vicinity of the pointing member 12, while the other end 17b2 of the transmission line is »* • '·· 35 To the Hall sensor 18a2.

* »F * *»

# I

12, 112400

Alternatively, in the pointing device of Figure 9, the Hall sensor 18al (or the Hall sensors 18al, 18a2) may be fitted directly to the air gap 4 from the circumference 12b of the pointing member 12.

A sixth pointing device according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 10A, 10B. This is a preferred modification of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 9A above. In this case, the pointing means 120 is formed from two magnetically separate and parallel pointing units 121, 122, each of which corresponds to the pointing element 10 12 of e.g. FIG. 6A and 6B. The pointing means comprises two detectors 183, 184 for each pointing unit 121, 122. Each pointing member assembly 121,122 is thus a pinion wheel, but is disposed with one another in a rotated position at an angle α with respect to the axis 14 such that the projections 131, 132 of the various pointing member units are in a displaced position. The angle α is preferably in the range of 5 to 15 degrees, most preferably 10 degrees. The center 12a1, 12a2 of each of the 15 indicating elements 121, 122 includes a magnetic element, preferably a permanent magnet. These magnetic elements provide different magnetic fields around them, whereby the pointing elements 12, 12 can be distinguished by means of detectors measuring the intensity of the magnetic field, in particular Hall sensors or detectors 183, 184. The Hall sensors 183, 184 are connected to the end of the air gap 4 by an indicator element 20 on the outer circumference of the ropes 121, 122. Alternatively, the Hall sensors 183, 184 are implemented as. Hall 9, described in connection with Figure 9. Then Hall-

***** '3 A

the sensors 18, 18 are preferably connected to the pretreatment of Fig. 3A. * 'Unit.

A seventh pointing device according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1A. The pointing member: T: 19 is preferably similar to that described above in connection with Figs. 6A and 6B.

However, the shaft pin 20 in this embodiment is made of a ferromagnetic material such as steel. The pointing member 19 is shaped to be rotatable about the axis G-G and is suitably mounted on the shaft 15 or the like of the device by the pin 20. The magnetic element 22, in this case a permanent magnet, is imaged on the axis of rotation of the indicating element 19 in the immediate vicinity of one end of the shaft pin G-G.

* A magnetic flux is transferred from the permanent magnet 22 via the shaft pin 20 to the pointing member '. 11: 19 and its projections 13 (cf. Fig. 6A) and further to be detected by the detector 21.

The detector 21 is e.g. a coil or coil such as e.g. 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B. 35 lux.

In the above exemplary embodiment, Fig. 11A, the magnetic element is a permanent magnet 22. Fig. 1BB shows an alternative solution in which the permanent magnet is wound with an electromagnet 23. In other respects, the pointing device of Fig. 1B corresponds to the pointing device of

The magnetic field, in particular the magnetic flux, may be coupled to the pointing element in another way than described above. 6A and 6B, the magnetic member 12c is fitted to the center 12a of the pointing member. In the eighth pointing device according to the invention, shown in Fig. 12A, the magnetic member 28 is fitted to the body 29 of the device.

In the eighth embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12A, the pointing member 24 is implemented as a spur wheel by means of radial projections 25 and a hub 26. The projections 25 and the hub 26 are integral with each other and are made of a ferromagnetic material such as steel. The magnet member 28 is disposed within the housing 29 of the device at an appropriate distance from the magnetic field detector 30 to the mounting recess 29a, the distance between the projections 25 and the detector 30 being 28 and detector 30. There is an air gap 4 between the indicator element 24, in particular its projections 25, and the detector 30; 41. Similarly, between the indicating member 24 and the magnetic member 28, there is also an air gap 4, 42.

In the applications of Fig. 12A, the magnetic member is implemented by a permanent magnet 28, while in the embodiment of Fig. 12B, the magnetic member is implemented by an electromagnet 31. In other respects, the embodiments of Figures 12A and 12B correspond to one another, and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. The magnetic flux of the magnetic member 28, 31 is then guided through one projection 25 to all projections of the pointing member 24 and thereby one projection is detected when it is in the immediate vicinity of the detector 30, as illustrated in the examples of Figures 12A and 12B. ·: ·. presented. It should be noted that just at the same time, the magnets 28, 31 mag. The rivet 30 engages itself with the pointing member 24 via a second projection.

The ninth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 13A. This embodiment corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 12A and 12B and employs the same reference numerals. The pointing member 24 of Figure 13A is implemented as a pinion wheel by means of radial projections 25 and a hub 26. One of the projections, the first projection 25a, is different from the other projections; it preferably has a larger free surface area than the other projections 25. It is thus wider and / or thicker than the other projections 25. Here again, the magnetic flux of the magnetic member 28, 31 is guided first. 112400 through a 14-pin projection 25a to all other projections 25 of the pointing member 24 and thereby one projection is detected when it is in the immediate vicinity of the detector 30. However, the first large projection 25a having a large impact area is opposed to moving away from the magnetic member 28; 31, the smaller projections 25 are detected when the pointing member 24 is moved with a greater movement resistance, whereby the pointing member 24 is known to be in a certain position, i.e. the magnetic member 28 of the first projection 25a; 31 in the vicinity.

A modification of an embodiment of the ninth invention is shown in Figure 13B. This structure 10 corresponds to the pointing device described above in connection with FIG. 13A, except that the second projection 25b is surrounded by large inter-projection gaps 25c and 25d. The second projection 25b points straight up when the first projection 25a is of the magnet member 28; 31 in the immediate vicinity. Thus, the second projection 25b is easily identifiable and, furthermore, its upward position is magnetically locked up to a certain force limit 15.

The tenth pointing device according to the invention is shown in front in partial sectional view in Fig. 14. The pointing element 32 in this case consists of a plurality of discrete pointing elements 32; 32a, 32b, 32c. These pointing members are structured pointing members according to one of the above embodiments, such as the pointing member 12 of Figure 6A. 32a, 32b, 32c are disposed in the body 35 of the device or in a corresponding mounting recess 35a. Each pointing member 32; · '. · A detector 33, respectively, in the vicinity of '32a, 32b, 32c; 33a, 33b, 33c. The detectors 33 "'' are preferably implemented in the same manner as in some of the above embodiments of the invention::: 25, as shown in Figure 6A. Each pointer-detector combination 32a, 33a; 32b, 33b; 32c, 33c controls its own menu or equivalent pointer The pointing elements 32; 32a, 32b, 32c are arranged to be independently rotatable about a common shaft HH, in which case they are preferably mounted on a common shaft pin 34 which in turn is mounted on the device body or housing 30 35. The detectors 33; 33a, 33b, 33c is disposed directly on the circuit board 36 in the immediate vicinity of the mounting recess 40a and the peripherals of the indicating means An air gap 4 is provided between the indicating elements 32; 32a, 32b, 32c and the detectors 33; 33a, 33b, 33c; .

• I · 15 112400 in this case corresponds to the width of at least three parallel pointing members 37. The pointing element 37 is structured to rotatably on the shaft line I-I in such a way that it can be moved axially in the direction of the arrow J as shown in the mounting recess 40a. The pointing member 37 is most preferably movably mounted on the shaft pin 38. The pointing member 5 37 is provided with three positions K, L, M in the mounting recess 40a in the I-I direction, as can be seen in the figure. At each position, the indicating member 37 is a detector 39; 39a, 39b, 39c in the immediate vicinity. The pointing element 37 can then be moved between different positions K, L, M, and in each position the pointing element acts on the corresponding detector 39a, 39b, 39c, through which the detectors 10 can control three different menus or pointers on the display. Detectors 39; 39a, 39b, 39c are mounted on a circuit board 41. The pointing member 37 and the detectors 39 may be implemented in accordance with one of the above exemplary embodiments. An indicator element 37 and an indicator element 39; Between 39a, 39b, 39c there is an air gap 4 at each of the positioning members K, L, M.

15

Fig. 15B shows a modification of the pointing means of Fig. 15A. For like parts, the same reference numerals are used. In this variation, in conjunction with the alternative positions K, L, M of the pointer member 37a, the mounting recess 40a each includes a magnetic member 48a, 48b, 48c, such as a permanent or electromagnet, similarly mounted as in the embodiment of Figure 12A (or 12B). The magnetic members 48a, 48b, 48c have the advantage that they hold the pointing member 37a in the selected position K, L or M and; reasonably oppose the axial displacement of the pointing member 37a from one position to another.

* '. · * This way, the feel of the adjustment in each station is maintained.

Figure 15C shows another variation of the pointing device of Figure 15A. For like parts, the same reference numerals are used. In this embodiment, a magnetic member 49a, 49b, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, is provided at each end of the axis 38 of the indicating member 37a (cf. the embodiment examples of Figs. 1A and 1B). By means of the magnetic elements 49a, 49b, the indicating element 37a is obtained in the extreme positions K, ';' > '30 M tightly connected by a magnetic field. The shaft 38 is then realized made of a suitable ferromagnetic material such as steel.

Fig. 15D shows a modification of the pointing device of Fig. 15C. Again in this embodiment, a magnetic element 50a, 50b, in particular an electromagnet, is provided at each end of the axis 38 of the pointing member 37a. By means of the electromagnets 50a, 50b, the pointing element 37a is tightly coupled in position in the extreme positions K, M by means of a magnetic field. and the poles of the same sign repelling each other, the axis 38 and the associated indicating member 37a are centered in position L.

The twelfth pointing device of the invention is shown in Figure 16. This pointing device includes a plurality of pointing members 42; 42a, 42b, 42c and detectors 43; 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e and 43f. The pointing elements 42 are mounted on a shaft pin 44 arranged on a rotation axis NN so that the pointing elements can be individually moved by an axle pin 44 in a mounting recess 45 provided to the pointing elements 42. Preferably, the pointing members 43 are mounted on a circuit board 47. the space occupied by these three pointing members is provided adjacent to them in the mounting recess 45 such that the pointing members 42; 42a, 42b, 42c may be moved within the mounting recess 45 between the positioning elements O, P, Q, R, S and T. At the respective positions O, 15 P, Q, R, S and T of the pointing elements, the detectors 43 are followed by said detectors 43. In this case, the pointing device can control a large number of different on-screen menus, in this case six. The pointing elements 42 can be moved in parallel to different positions O, P, Q, R, S and T, thereby selecting at least three menus controlled by the pointing element.

20

It is preferable to track each pointing element 42 in the pointing means of Figure 16; 42a, 42b, 42c in connection with positions O, P, Q, R, S, and T in the mounting recess 45 by magnetic, path 51; 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, 51f, such as a permanent or electromagnet, mounted in the same manner as in the embodiments of Figures 12A (or 12B) and 14B. Magnesium: 25 of rivets 51; The advantage of having 5a, 5lb, 5le, 5Id, 5le, 5lf is that they hold the pointing elements: 'i': at selected positions O, P, Q, R, S or T. The magnetic elements 51 are mounted on the mounting. ': ·. recess 45 in connection with housing 46 or the like body.

.:. The invention is not limited solely to the above exemplary embodiment, but many modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed inventive concept.

Claims (21)

A pointing device comprising a movable pointing means and a detector, which pointing means is a rotatable pointing means and having means for generating a magnetic field and which pointing means is arranged in a mounting recess in the device, and which detector comprises means for detecting a magnetic field , which means are provided in the mounting recess, characterized in that - the means (6; 8; 22; 23; 28; 31) for generating the magnetic field are arranged on the periphery (7a; 12b) of the rotatable pointing means (7; 12; 16; 19; 24; 32; 42), and the means (10; 18; 21; 30; 33; 39; 43) for detecting the magnetic field have been arranged ... 20 on a small air gap (4) in the mounting recess (9a ; 15a; 29a; 35a; 40a; 45) in close proximity to the peripheral of the pointing member. Pointing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for generating the magnetic field comprise a plurality of magnetic means (8) which are arranged on the pointer body. *: ·; network (7) periphery (7a) at a distance from each other. A pointing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for generating: the magnetic field comprises a magnetic means (12c) which is located in the center of the pointing means of the pointing means (12b) and which has a plurality of projections (13). ) of ferromagnetic material. Pointing device according to claim 3, characterized in that one of the projections (13a; 13c) * ·· * has been designed at its free end (13b) so that it differs from the other projections 30 (13). Pointing device according to claim 4, characterized in that one protrusion (13d) has been separated from the other protrusion (13) by means of a wide protrusion gap (13e, 13f). 20 112400 Pointing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the opposite sides of the pointing member (50) on the rotating axis (XX) of the pointing member (51), and in the mounting recess (15a) in corresponding manner, points (52) are arranged in such a way that the pointing means (50) can be snatched from mounting recess (15a) and corresponding means (50) back into mounting recess (15a). Pointing device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the pointing means (19) comprises a shaft pin (20) around which it can be rotated, and that the magnetic means (22; 23) is arranged on the point of rotation of the pointing means in the immediate vicinity of the shaft pin (20). ) for transmitting the magnetic flux to the pointing means (19), which shaft pin (20) is of ferromagnetic material. A pointing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotatable pointing means (24) comprises a plurality of projections (25) and a center (26) which are of ferromagnetic material, and that the means for generating the magnetic field comprise a magnetic means (28; 31). which has been arranged outside the pointing means (24) in the immediate vicinity of its peripheral region. Pointing device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the magnetic means (22; 28) is a permanent magnet. Pointing device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the magnetic means (28; 31) is an electric magnet. Pointing device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that one of the protrusions "(25a) deviates from the others suitably so that it has a larger surface at its free end:" · ·: end than the other protrusions (25) • 1 · Pointing device according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the projections (13a; 13c) '1' at its free end (13b) has been designed in such a way that it differs from the other projections (13). • »» * t · • ·: ** ·. Pointing device according to claim 11, characterized in that one protrusion (13d) has been separated from the other protrusion (13) by means of a wide protrusion gap (13e, 13f). A pointing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (10; .21; 30; 33; 39; 43) for detecting the magnetic field comprise a coil or equivalent component. A pointing device according to claim 14, characterized in that the means (10) for detecting the magnetic field comprises a pretreatment device (5) in which, by means of an induced voltage pulse, the direction of the pointing (A, B) of the pointing means (1) is determined in relation to detector. A pointing device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the means for detecting the magnetic field comprises a Hall sensor (18a). A pointing device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the means for detecting the magnetic field comprises a magnetoresistive sensor. A pointing device according to claim 16, characterized in that the means (18) for detecting the magnetic field comprises a ferromagnetic transmission line (17). A pointing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pointing means 10 (37; 37a) is arranged in the mounting recess (40a) on a shaft (38) in whose direction (II) it can be moved (J) between several parallel stations. (K, L, M) and simultaneously between menu groups or the like. A pointing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that pointing means (32; 32a, 32b, 32c; 42; 42a, 42b, 42c) have been arranged several pieces in parallel in the same mounting recess (40a). A pointing device according to claim 20, characterized in that a plurality of pointing means (42; 42a, 42b, 42c) have been arranged axially movable in the mounting recess (45) between different stations (O, P, Q, R, S or T). 1% t